Daniel Patrick Murray

Daniel Patrick Murray, affectionately known as “Deacon Dan” to those who knew and loved him,  passed away at home, surrounded by his family, on January 30, 2026 after a long battle with Ulcerative Colitis. 

Born on the east side of Columbus on December 10, 1947, he was the oldest son of Paul and Anne Murray. Dan spoke often of his childhood memories, regaling those who would listen with stories of his siblings, cousins, best friends, and extended family members who encouraged each others’ shenanigans, celebrated shared triumphs, and supported each other in their sorrows. 

A lifelong learner, Dan was proud of his education and the opportunities it afforded him. He graduated as a member of the final class of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in 1965 before heeding a call to join the seminary and study for the priesthood at St. Charles Preparatory College in Columbus. While spending some time at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio, Dan found that God was leading him elsewhere. While Dan did not become a member of clergy at that time, his faith and calling to lead others in the faith would stay with him and propel him to join the diaconate formation program in the Diocese of Steubenville where he engaged in more studies and was ordained in November 2012. Dan’s ordination was one of the happiest days of his life. He served as a Deacon in the Athens Catholic Community for just over 7 years before he and his wife, Lisa, moved back to Columbus. Once back in Columbus, Dan wasted no time making sure he could serve the faithful in his new community. 

Dan’s faith not only moved him to join the clergy as a deacon, but also served as a foundation for how he navigated the world. After leaving Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Dan obtained a Master’s degree in Education from The Ohio State University and became a middle school English and Social Studies teacher. As a teacher, his students found him engaging and challenging. He expected everyone to rise to the learning before them. He supported various extracurriculars, including coaching football and directing musicals, most notably his favorite- “Bye, Bye, Birdie!” After years as a teacher, Dan became an administrator serving in Newcomerstown, Ohio and at Vinton County Local Schools. His true passion was working as a Gifted Intervention Specialist. He fought to establish programs to serve gifted students, first in Vinton County and then at Nelsonville-York City Schools. He was so proud of the students he worked with and shared their excitement and joy as they discovered more about themselves and the world around them. 

Dan loved nothing more than to be a part of his community. Before becoming an ordained deacon, Dan was active in the Church community as a lay person, serving as a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and sharing his beautiful voice as a cantor and lector during mass. He was an avid sports fan and especially loved baseball and football. In the fall, he thrived on the sidelines of the Athens Bulldogs with dear friends, running the chains for football games on Friday nights. On summer days, you could always catch him at the softball fields where you’d find him umpiring or sharing a beer after the game with whatever team he’d just finished calling balls and strikes for. When winter came around, you could find him refereeing basketball or “razzing” the refs at his son’s hockey games. His love of sports and community meant he was especially well-suited to serve on various boards and organizations, including sitting on the Athens Hockey Association board and serving as the head USSSA umpire in Athens County. He was also proud to help organize various tournaments around Athens, including the USSSA State Softball Tournament, the Hockey House Tournament, and a fundraising basketball tournament for his son’s high school junior prom. 

Dan found community in everything he did, even activities his children participated in. With his children’s involvement in 4-H, Dan found lifelong friends and an appreciation for raising livestock, county fairs, showmanship competitions, and the sale ring. 

As he grew older, he enjoyed spending his time on the sidelines of his granddaughters’ softball and soccer games, laughing with his grandsons at their jokes and antics, attending school concerts and plays, and taking them all to get ice cream when they visited in the summer. His pride in his grandchildren was evident and he spoke often of how he loved them and his amazement at how they were growing and participating in the world around them. 

Community and family were at the core of everything Dan did. His community and family mourn his loss and will continue to look to his legacy for inspiration. 

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Anne Murray, siblings Margaret Murray, Hugh Murray, and Brian Murray, along with dear friend Tom McKinnon, who Dan considered another brother. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Lisa, and his 3 children- Colleen Ruiz (Rich) of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, Jennifer Barga (Brad) of Sidney, Ohio, Sean Murray (Josie) of Columbus, Ohio, his grandchildren- Rylan Murray, Katelyn Murray, Angela Ruiz, Olivia Barga, Colin Barga, Neilah Barga, Cecilia Murray, Annabelle Murray, Gabriel Murray, Jacob Murray, and his siblings, Jim Murray (Gertrude) of Columbus, Ohio and Terry Paulette (Rick) of Olympia, Washington, along with many dear friends and extended family members.

Visitation will be held at 10am on Thursday, February 5, 2026 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Sunbury, Ohio. A Mass of Christian Burial will directly follow at 11am. Burial will take place on Friday, February 6, 2026 at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio at 11:30am.  A memorial mass will be held in Athens, Ohio at a date to be determined. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dan’s name to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation or Mt. Carmel Hospice.

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